Lake Shore Limited State of the Art

Amtrak’s Lake Shore Limited has been much talked about this year and not always for the good.

Last spring Nos. 48 and 49 began operating with a lone P42DC locomotive between Chicago and Albany-Rensselaer, New York.

Then during the summer the full-service dining cars were removed in favor of Amfleet food service cars with a “diner light” menu.

Of course, there is the on-going saga of whether the Boston section will again run the length of the route to Chicago.

Every time that Amtrak indicates that it is coming back, it continues to operate only between Boston and Albany. Furthermore, Nos. 448 and 449 have been annulled several times this year in favor of buses due to CSX track work.

I made it a point to get out to see the Lake Shore this past weekend because I had not seen it since the changes were made.

It had P42DC No. 12, a Viewliner baggage car, three Viewliner sleepers, two Amfleet food service cars and five Amfleet II coaches.

It is shown doing track speed at Bort Road in North East, Pennsylvania, running on time about an hour after sunrise.